Electric guitar pioneer Les Paul dies, aged 94

Electric guitar pioneer Les Paul has died at the age of 94.

Paul has been credited with contributing to the way rock music sounded by creating the first solid-body electric guitar, while he was also regarded for developing multi-track recording, overdubbing and inventing the eight-track tape recorder.

The Gibson Guitar Corporation - who utilised design modifications that Paul suggested on instruments sold since 1952 - issued a statement that he passed away from complications of pneumonia in New York, BBC News reports.

"As the 'father of the electric guitar', he was not only one of the world's greatest innovators but a legend who created, inspired and contributed to the success of musicians around the world," said Gibson president Dave Berryman.

His famed Les Paul sound is said to have influenced U2's The Edge, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Pete Townsend of The Who.

Paul was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.